Ausgrid and Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation team up to embed community resilience
With the summer months on our doorstep, the Raymond Terrace community came together today for an event designed to raise awareness about the impacts of extreme weather and help the community plan for unplanned power outages.
The event, hosted by the Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation in Raymond Terrace in collaboration with Ausgrid, brought together residents and local organisations to share knowledge and build community resilience.
Participants heard practical advice on topics including power outage planning, how to assemble a home emergency kit, electrical safety, and how Ausgrid restores power after major storms.
Ausgrid Group Executive Network and Digital Junayd Hollis said each attendee was provided with a ‘starter kit’ to help kickstart their own home preparedness efforts.
“This initiative is the result of Ausgrid’s $30,000 three-year Resilience Sponsorship Grant to support joint efforts with Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation to improve community energy resilience.”
This partnership is about more than just funding – it’s about working together to make sure communities like Port Stephens are better prepared for the realities of extreme weather.
“Supporting an active local organisation like Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation helps us strengthen the community’s ability to respond and recover.” He said.
Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Dianne Ball, OAM said the event was a powerful example of collaboration and care.
“Our community has faced floods, fires and storms, but we’ve also seen how strong we can be when we come together.”
Days like this remind us that preparation is everyone’s responsibility – and that with the right knowledge and support, we can protect our families and our culture.
The event marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Ausgrid and Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation, with plans for a series of seasonal preparedness events in the coming years.
Following the presentations, Ausgrid field crew members provided a live network demonstration and answered questions from community members, before everyone came together to enjoy a BBQ lunch.